Emergency axle extension.



FA HNESEEE:

c. HENTHORN & w. T. WEHE. .EM'ERGENCYDAXLE EXTENSION.

APPLICATION. FYILED JULV 16, 1914.

1,139,182. r Patent-ed May 11, 1915.

CLYDE HENTHOEN'AND WILLIAM T. WEHE, OF BELLAIRE, OHIO.

EMERGENCY AXLE EXTENSION.

gency axle extensions for automobiles, and specifically to an emergencylspindle.

The primary object of the invention is to i provide a wheel spindle adapted to temporarily' replace a spindle broken from the axle of an automobile and having means whereby it may be readily attached to or clamped upon the broken axle in such manner that the disabled car may be driven under its own power inthe usual manner, thus enabling such car to proceed without assistance to a point where permanent repairs can be made.

A further object is to provide a device of the character mentioned whichmay be conveniently carried in a car for emergency use and which may be readily applied when occasion requires.

With these and other minor objects in view, the invention resides in the features of construction, arrangement of parts and combinations of elements which will hereinafter be fully described, reference being had to "the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention applied to an axle, the axle housin being shown in section; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the axle-clamp with its integral spindle; and Fig. 4 is a cross section on line 4- r Fig. 2.

Referring to said drawings, in'which like designating characters distinguish like parts throughout the several views1 indicates an axle of a common type, which is rotatably mounted Within a stationary housing 2, the latter having in its end the usual internal annular recess or socket 3 for the accommodation of the roller bearings commonly employed in axles of this character. The said axle 1 is herein depicted as broken at a point t closely adjacent to the end of the housing 2, experience having demonstrated specification of Letters Patent.

This invention relates broadlyfto emer-- Patented May 11 1915.

Application filed July 16, 1914. Serielflo. 851,403.

the fact that the more or less frequent breaks to which this type of axle is specially liable usually occur at or near this point.

Closely fitted in the socket 3 in the axle housing 2, from which the roller bearing has been removed, is a bushing 5, composed of the bore of said member having an inwardly tapered form, and closely embraced by said walls is a flexible clamp, which is disposed in close gripping relation to the axle 1, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Said clamp comprises a body portion 8 having an axially alined wheel spindle 9 formed integral therewith at its outer end, an annular outwardlyfacin shoulder 10 being provided at the junction of said spindle with said body portion for a purpose which will presently be .made apparent. The body portion 8 has a cylindrical bore 11 therein in which the .end of the broken axle 1 is received, as shown in Fig: 2. 'The said body portion 8 is slightly tapered exteriorly in an inward direction to.

substantially.correspond with the form of the bore in the bearing member 6 by which it is embraced, as aforesaid. A plurality of longitudinal slits 12 are provided in said body portion to form a plurality of resilient clamping fingers 8" which are adapted to be forced into close binding or clamping relation with the axle 1 when said body portion is forcedinward with respect to the bearing.

member 6.

For forcing the arts into positions wherein the clamping gers bind uponor grip the axle, a gland 13 having its inner end seated against the shoulder 10 of body portion 8 is threaded within the outer end of the bearing member, said gland being adapted to simultaneously force the clamp inward and draw the bearing member outward in a manner which will be readily understood.

If desired, the resiliency of thefingers 8" weakening notches 14 or the like -at suitable points, as shownin Figs. 2 and 3.

The application of the device herein described may be quickly accomplished by unskilledpersons without the used other tools than. an ordinary wrench, the usual manner bushing 5 is driven into the socket '3 of the axle housing, after which the bearing mem- .ber 6 is slipped within said bushing to a seated position. Th'en'the clamp 8 is slipped within the bore of said bearing member and over the broken endof axle 1 until/it begins to bind, whereupon the glan dl3 is slipped by hand over the'spindle 9 until its. threads begin to engage those of said bearing memher, after which a wrench isapplied to said? gland and the latter is movedas far as it will gs. The broken spindle having been removedfrom the hub of the wheel, the latter may je 'appl-ied to the substitute spindle 9 in the usual way.

to 1 1 form resilient fingers mol ntgd on th d f What is claimed is- 1. An emergency axleextension comprising a member having'ya plurality of parallel flexible fingers'disposed about a central axlereceiving bore, said member having an inteal axially alined sfpindle, a hearing memer embracing said ngers, and means rotatably mountedon the inner end of said spindle and having threaded connection with said'bearing member whereby the latter is actuated to exert pressure 'O ll said fingers for causing the latter to grip ai /axle received in said bore. I

2.' In a device of the character described, the combination with anaxle and axle hous ing, of a hollow clampinginember slotted to the axle, said member haviiig an integral axially alined spindle adapted for the reception of .a wheel hub, ai -cylindrical bearing member disposed in embracin relation, to said fingers, said bearing mem r being rotatably mounted within the end of said housing, arid means independent of the wheel hub whereby isaid clamping member and said bearing member are moved relatively for causing said fingers tb grip said axle.

'3. In a device or the character described, the coinbination'witli an axle andaxle housing, of a hollow, clamping member having of applying being as follows: The usual roller bearing having been withdrawn, the

an inwardly tapered exterior and having an integral axially alined spindle for the reception of a wheel hub, said member being slotted to form a plurality of fingers and being mounted upon the axle with said fingers embracing the latter, a cylindrical bearing member having an inwardly tapered bore disposed in embracin relation to said fingers and being rotata le within said housing, and means threaded within said bearing member and exerting inwardly directed pressure against said clamping member whereby the fingers of the latter are caused to grip said axle.

4:. In a device of the character described, the combination with an axle and axle hdusing, of a hollow clamping member having an inwardly tapered exterlor and having an integral axially alined spindle, said member being slotted to form a'plurality of fingers and being mounted upon the axle with said ing member and being adapted to exert a force whereby said bearing member and said clamping member are relatively moved 1ongitudinally in opposite directions for causin said fingers to grip said axle.

n testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

' CLYDE HENTHORN. WILLIAM T. Witnesses:

J. S. Ponrnii,

W. F. mm. 

